Let's Get Critical

Not sure when they actually came out with this ammo... but FWIW I carry it in 9mm and occasionally .380

I think I first bought a box about 4 months ago. So far so good, feeds well and shoots straight ;)
 
It's only been out a short time.

I guess you will get different answers, but I have been using Critical Defense in .45ACP and .38 spl. for a while. Also read tons of reports. Bottom line it's very good ammo and does as advertised. But Hornady admitted up front the CD did not do well with some hard barriers, so now the new Critical Duty has a had core that should solve the problem.

The jury is out, but my experience is anything Hornady does deserves attention. It they say it works.....it probably does.
 
Yes, but it is an outgrowth from the Critical Defense ammo.....which is also bonded.

Actually it's all an outgrowth from the LeverEvolution rifle ammo.
 
madmag said:
Also read tons of reports. Bottom line it's very good ammo and does as advertised.
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I tested some in .380 Auto, after reading and hearing good things about the Critical Defense ammo (I guess we can't just use the "CD" abbreviation any more, can we...). I ended up buying 2 more boxes of .380 Auto for SD use, and bought some for 9x19mm.

...But that's where things went south. About the time I got around to testing the 9x19mm, I had also gotten my hands on a S&W 642-2 (.38 Spcl +P) and a box of Critical Defense for it. I had 3 failures to fire of 9x19mm, in 15 rounds (completely unable to get them to go off, even in other 9mms, and after pulling the bullets and dumping the powder -- they were all loaded with bad primers :().

And, the .38 Spcl ammo was so incredibly hot, that I only fired 5 rounds. To extract those 5 spent shell casings, I had to SLAM the ejector rod on the shooting bench at the range. I was completely unable to eject/extract the empties by hand, or with light tapping on the bench. It took a 'punch' to the bench, with the J-frame in my hand, to get those cases out.

With the 9mm and .38 Spcl issues, I hit the internet, searching for similar experiences. It turns out, that I was far from alone. About 30% of reports I found for the two types of ammo were negative reports, with complaints similar to mine.

Some loads are doing quite well (like .380 Auto), but I won't trust the 9mm or .38 Spcl Critical Defense loads, until Hornady fixes them.
 
FrankenMauser said:
About 30% of reports I found for the two types of ammo were negative reports, with complaints similar to mine.
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Thanks for the heads up, doesn't sound good. I have not had issues so far, but I this gives me concerns. The best bullet design is no good if the round does not work.

But I have been back to Gold Dot lately, so not a big issue now.
 
Compared to numbers I've seen for Winchester Ranger Bonded and Federal HST, I'm not impressed.

A Winchester Ranger Bonded 147gr 9mm usually gets 15.8" - 16" through heavy cloth. It usually gets about 16.5" through denim. In both cases it expands to roughly .58". Hornady claims 15.0" of penetration through heavy cloth for the 135gr+P. The expansion is listed at .517". The Hornady has an advantage in expansion through wall board of .032". However it gives up over three inches of penetration. Any category where the Hornady has an advantage in either dimension it loses on the other.

In short there are better bullets and a number of compromises. Even against the famed HST it comes down to whether you prize penetration or expansion. Lay your money down and take your risk. That is all you can really do. I believe Hornady has simply applied a lot of extra technology in an attempt to stand out. I feel comfortable ith my Winchester Ranger Bonded and see no need to switch.
 
I think there are better rounds available in 9mm but the Critical Defense may be the best .380 hollow point round available. The tip prevents it from immediately expanding which helps with penetration. The bullet ends up expanding a decent amount. I know that the LAPD recently approved it for off duty/backup use (the only .380 approved).
 
Very nice--The problem I have with the critical defense ammo is the weight (<100gr. in 9mm). I like to carry at least a .124gr round so the critical duty ammo looks much more to my liking.

-Cheers
 
FrankenMauser,

Just to be sure, I assume you have had no other types of ammo 'swell' up in the chambers (reminds me of my buddy's EAA Windicator that does this a lot if he uses .357 ammo instead of .38)?

-Cheers
 
My 15 year old (properly stored) stash of Blazer GoldDot has never failed me so I doubt I'll change anything.
 
he problem I have with the critical defense ammo is the weight
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Less momentum may be required with Critical Defense for acceptable penetration if the flex tip insert delays expansion. Same principle as a Barnes X bullet. Applied force against amount of resistance measured over time. Differing inputs can reach the same result. Something like that. Maybe Rick Perry has a grip on it. He knows how to shoot himself in the foot and joke about it.
 
Sheeesh --- can't see the forest for the trees. I just realized this thread was about Critical Duty and not about Critical Defense. I too had not realized there was a new line out. Those numbers do indeed look good.
 
Law enforcement and tactical professionals now have a truly advanced, 21st century handgun ammunition solution that delivers the most consistent and reliable urban barrier performance ever created!
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Oh jeez..."tactical professionals?"

At least the packaging is red and silver. It'll look good in Christmas displays, the way their Zombie ammunition looked good in Halloween displays.
 
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